Introduction to the Sonya Massey Bill
Gov. JB Pritzker has signed into law the Sonya Massey bill, requiring stricter vetting before hiring of law enforcement officers statewide. The signing Tuesday came more than a year after Massey was shot and killed in her own home by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson.
Background of the Incident
Before working in Sangamon County, Grayson bounced around between five smaller police and sheriff’s departments, racking up a history of disciplinary issues. The new law will require police agencies to complete comprehensive reviews of an applicant’s employment history before making a job offer. Massey’s family believes this kind of oversight could have prevented her death.
The Incident That Led to the Law
Massey called law enforcement to her home on July 6, 2024, to report a possible intruder. Grayson responded and shot Massey in the head. Grayson claimed he had feared that Massey would throw a pot of boiling water at him. But, body-camera footage shows Massey ducking for cover behind a kitchen counter with her hands raised before Grayson fired at her.
Reaction to the Bill Signing
Members of the Massey family attended Tuesday’s bill signing, all wearing purple, Massey’s favorite color. “I miss my mom every single day, like every day, and it hurts that she’s not here with me,” Massey’s son, Malachi Hill, said Tuesday. “But I am very happy that we can also get a bill put in her name, and her name can live on for forever.” State Sen. Doris Turner, a sponsor of the bill and friend of the Massey family, was overcome with emotions at Tuesday’s bill signing.
Sponsor’s Remarks
“I will tell you unequivocally, in my 25 years of elected office, this is the least political thing I have ever done, but it’s the most important thing I have ever done,” Turner said. Following the shooting, Turner reached out to Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, to try and console her. Donna Massey told Turner; “Nothing else matters to me. I just want you to get justice for my baby.” “I immediately made her that promise,” Turner said. “And that promise has guided my every step, my every action, from that day to this one.”
The Need for Stricter Vetting
An investigation from the Invisible Institute and Illinois Public Media found Grayson’s past employment records had been riddled with allegations of misconduct. At the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, where Grayson worked before Sangamon County, complaints were filed against him for inappropriate conduct with a jail detainee, the investigation found. Records also showed Grayson had ignored internal policies around high-speed pursuits, received at least two formal complaints and that Logan County considered firing him. Grayson also previously pleaded guilty in two misdemeanor DUI cases. He was fired from Sangamon County after he was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Conclusion
The signing of the Sonya Massey bill into law marks a significant step towards improving police hiring practices in the state. By requiring stricter vetting of applicants, the law aims to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. As Gov. Pritzker noted, “Unfortunately, what happened to Sonya is not an isolated incident in America,” and this law serves as an example for other states and jurisdictions to follow. The Massey family and supporters hope that this law will bring about positive change and ensure that justice is served.
FAQs
Q: What is the Sonya Massey bill?
A: The Sonya Massey bill is a law that requires stricter vetting before hiring of law enforcement officers statewide.
Q: What led to the creation of the bill?
A: The bill was created in response to the shooting death of Sonya Massey by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, who had a history of disciplinary issues.
Q: What does the law require police agencies to do?
A: The law requires police agencies to complete comprehensive reviews of an applicant’s employment history before making a job offer.
Q: How will this law prevent similar tragedies?
A: By requiring stricter vetting, the law aims to prevent individuals with a history of misconduct from being hired as law enforcement officers.
Q: What is the significance of the Sonya Massey bill?
A: The bill serves as an example for other states and jurisdictions to follow in improving police hiring practices and preventing similar tragedies.
